About Urban Solutions:

Urban Solutions (US), formerly, Urban Merchants Assistance Corporation, Inc. (UMAC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1994.

Our mission supports the development of inner city youth by providing training and support resources designed to strengthen their academic, life and employment skills.

For eight years, US operated the Youth Employment Program (YEP), which was initially the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).  Due to its overall success, SYEEP became the Youth Employment Program (YEEP), and began operating as a year round program in 1999. In 2000, an educational initiative was added to this program, and it became the Youth Employment and Education Program (YEEP).  This flagship program has since been named the Pathways to Excellence, and restructured to provide a more holistic experience for participants.  In addition to the Pathways to Excellence program, US currently offers four other after-school youth development programs: 21st Century Learning Center at The DuSable Campus, Say It Loud  Radio and Television Broadcasting program, CINEMA Youth Digital Filmmaking program, and Faces of Youth Empowerment.

US Staff:

Karen R. Gunn, Founder/CEO

Karen R. Gunn began her work in cultural relations and youth development in September 1994 when she established Urban Solutions. This organization was an expanded version of the Community Mediation Program she began under the aegis of Korean American Community Services (KACS) of Chicago in 1991.  Prior to her involvement in community mediation, Ms. Gunn established a 18-year career as a human resource professional working with several Fortune 500 companies. Through the use of her education in Personnel Management, and current and prior work experience, Ms. Gunn served as an instructor for the job readiness workshop component of US Youth Employment Program until 1999.  In addition to her current position as founder and CEO, Ms. Gunn serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Women Working Together and as a mentor with the 6th Region YouthNet.  She has also served as a consultant for the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.  Ms. Gunn has a BS - Personnel Management, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Certification in Mediation and Certification in Youth Entrepreneur Training.

Sheon Suarkeo, Program Director

Sheon Suarkeo initially started with US as a volunteer, and in November 2001, was hired as Program Director. Ms. Suarkeo served in several capacities in Youth Development beginning with the City of Chicago-Dept. of Human Services, and as a Project Specialist III with the City of Chicago-Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. She also served as Director of Education and Development with City Wide Community Services. Sheon is responsible for case management and case coordination of program participants through individual and group work.  She is also responsible for initial assessments, program planning, and crisis intervention, follow up services, and home/ site visits.  Sheon also has actively developed community resources, linking youth and family with social and supportive services. She has his BA degree in Education Development from St Stephens College in Los Angeles, CA, a certificate in Educational Development from Yale University and received her MBA from Northeastern University. 

Laura E. Knights, Associate Program Director

Laura Knights, Associate Program Director - Laura is a former summer intern of US and a 2003 honors graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. Laura received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Organization and Human Resources Management, Ms. Knights also majored in Social Thought Analysis and received an Advanced Certificate in Non-profit Management while at Washington University.  She is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work degree at DePaul University.  As the Associate Program Director at Urban Solutions, assumes responsibility for day-to-day coordination of the career exploration apprenticeship programs, in addition to assisting with other organizational initiatives.  She also is the staff liaison to US’ youth council, Faces of Youth Empowerment.

Ulestine Watson, Education Specialist

Dr. Ulestine Watson, joined US in August 2000.  She is responsible for education awareness and readiness, as well as tutoring assistance for program participants. Prior to working with US, Ms. Watson served as the primary instructor at Target Hope and served as Special Assistant to the Vice President-Office of Student Affairs, Assistant Director – Financial Aid/Outreach Specialist, and other various positions at Northeastern University from 1970-1999. Ms. Watson has a BS Ed., History, Eastern Illinois University, MS Ed., Guidance and Counseling, Eastern Illinois University, and an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University.

 

Board:

• Open, Board President

• Michael Knowles, Treasurer (YMCA of Chicago)

• Joseph Smith III, Secretary (Metro Home Inspectors)

• Debra Walker Johnson (CTCNet)

• Almetris Snulligan (Westside Youth Technical Entrepreneur Center)

• Nyah Griffin, (F.Y.E. youth representative)

• Camille Odeh (Southwest Youth Collaborative)

• Derrick Gross (Community Resident)

• Donnie Brown ( Genesis Housing Development Corporation)

• Denise Ferguson (City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations)

• Daniel Waterman (Apex Developers)